Vitamin D:
The Sunshine Vitamin
Although our bodies do receive vitamin D from some food sources, the easiest way to get your daily quota comes from nothing more than a walk in the sunshine. When your skin is exposed to the sunshine, our bodies do have the capabilities of manufacturing all of our daily requirements of the D vitamin just from the ultra-violet rays of the sun.
Vitamin D is needed because it is a good strong basis for healthy bones, good muscle control and the proper functioning of the nerve impulses in our body. With a lack of this vitamin, your body must pull it from your bones to maintain health which eventually leads to serious medical complications.
Current research though has suggested there is two different forms of vitamin D. Vitamin D2 is from plant sources. This form is often present in the fortified varieties of milk and juices you purchase at the store. Vitamin D3, the preferred kind, is the end result of that walk in the sunshine.
Recommended Daily Allowance
With just 15-20 minutes of
sunshine every day your body can produce enough Vitamin D to supply a full day's quota of this important vitamin. You must remember though, smog, tall buildings and shadows, a cloudy day, tinted window glass, and regular window glass all reduce or eliminate the amount of sunshine your body receives. Thus you have not received an optimal amount of ultra-violet rays in these situations. Therefore on some sunny days, a little extra sunshine is not only good for the soul but actually a means of extra storage for your body's future use during less than optimal conditions.
Common Food Sources
During less than ideal weather conditions or when you know your body is starved for some sunlight, some of the following foods will also help to
furnish your vitamin D requirements. Try adding these to your diet if possible:
- Halibut
- Herring
- Cod
- Mackerel
- Pacific salmon
Trying to fit in a daily walk for many people though is very difficult because of their work environment. Give a few of these suggestions a try and see if one of them can be absorbed into your daily life:
- If you drive to work, park a block or two away from your job and walk the rest of the way
- If you normally take the train, a bus, subway etc., get off one block before your stop and walk the rest of the way
- At the shopping center, grocery store running errands, whatever, park as far away from the door as possible and walk the entire length of the parking lot
- Fire the dog sitter and take your own dog for a walk
- Go spend some quality time with your own children at the park, outdoor ball game, or on your own front doorstep
- Depending on where you work, get away from your desk and have lunch on the roof, in the sunroom, on the balcony etc.
- Stop having your lunch delivered. Bring your sneakers from home and walk to the deli to get it
As you can tell, use a little imagination and come up with a solution that works for your situation. Your entire body, your bones, muscles and nerves will thank you for it. Seek to avoid early symptoms of diabetes by walking outside in the sun as often as possible to enjoy this wonderful gift from nature.
Return to "Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency"
*Disclaimer*This site is not intended to replace the advice and supervision of your professional medical treatment plan. Although all of the information is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge, we still recommend you carefully check all food labels before consuming any food product. We can not assume any legal responsibility for any illness obtained while following the advice contained on this site.
